Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90
84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
![Pentax MX-1 front Pentax MX-1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-MX-1/Pentax-MX-1-front.jpg)
![Pentax Optio E90 front Pentax Optio E90 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-Optio-E90/Pentax-E90-front.jpg)
94 Imaging
33 Features
11 Overall
24
Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
- Introduced July 2013
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
- 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
- Introduced January 2010
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and they are both built by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the E90 (10MP) is pretty close but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and E90 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The MX-1 was manufactured 3 years later than the E90 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the MX-1 matches up versus the E90 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax MX-1 and Pentax Optio E90. The entire galleries are available at Pentax MX-1 Gallery and Pentax E90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax E90
MX-1 | E90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2013 | ![]() | January 2010 | Fresher by 42 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Pentax MX-1
E90 | MX-1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Pentax E90
MX-1 | E90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax MX-1 has exterior measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") and a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) and the Pentax E90 has sizing of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the MX-1 and the E90.
![Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 size comparison Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-MX-1-vs-Pentax-Optio-E90-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the MX-1 and E90 is 84 and 94 respectively.
![Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-MX-1-vs-Pentax-Optio-E90-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and E90.
As you have seen, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The MX-1 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax MX-1 will render more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more recent MX-1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.
![Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-MX-1-vs-Pentax-Optio-E90-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-MX-1-vs-Pentax-Optio-E90-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax E90 Specifications
Pentax MX-1 | Pentax Optio E90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Pentax |
Model type | Pentax MX-1 | Pentax Optio E90 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-07-01 | 2010-01-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Prime |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 25 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 32-95mm (3.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/1.8-2.5 | f/3.1-5.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 6cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 920 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD with AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 391 grams (0.86 lbs) | 145 grams (0.32 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") | 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 49 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 208 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 290 photos | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | D-Li-106 | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $400 | $100 |